How is a rocket experiment different from a more traditional laboratory-based experiment?
Unlike most traditional laboratory-based research, experiments flown on rockets can be performed only once, adding an additional adrenaline rush to an already exciting rocket launch. Mistakes made in the months leading up to the launch are magnified during the experiment and you cannot simply re-run the experiment. That being said, when a rocket experiment is successful, everyone associated with the project feels a tremendous sense of excitement and accomplishment. Additionally, rocket scientists are drawn by the unmistakable allure of launching their experiments into space. • What is the timeline of the experiment – when will key elements of the collaboration take place? The student collaborators will decide upon the SPIRIT 2 timeline. Generally speaking, however, the planning stage will extend into the early months of 2002. In the spring of 2002, a Design Review will take place at Wallops Flight Facility (WFF). The experiments will then be built and combined to form the payload. Duri
